TimberNook children’s nature program coming to Miami area

TimberNook offers children’s nature programming with a special focus on engaging the senses and inspiring creativity in the great outdoors.

TimberNook Miami has announced the launch of TimberNook camps in South Dade in February.

TimberNook Miami now is a local provider of TimberNook LLC, which offers children’s nature programming with a special focus on engaging the senses and inspiring creativity in the great outdoors. Miami will be the first Florida TimberNook location.

TimberNook Miami will offer year-round camps for children ages 4-11 starting on Feb. 23 at the Castellow Hammock Nature Preserve in South Dade, located at 22301 SW 162 Ave. Holiday, vacation and summer camps as well as a weekly nature immersion will be offered at this scenic location.

“Many parents are looking to TimberNook as an answer to children’s rapidly diminishing play time,” said Michelle Brown, director of TimberNook Miami. “We need to offer our kids more opportunities to play in an unstructured environment.

“The average child spends nearly six hours a day with electronic media. Children are not spending as much time outdoors.”

Two individual camps will be offered each with its own distinctive curriculum, outdoor challenges and creative activities. The Storybook camp, for ages 4-6, will bring stories to life in the woods through hut building and cooking over an open fire. For children in all age groups, Creative Minds Camp provides opportunities for children to explore their imagination and use nature as their toolbox.

A launch event will take place the afternoon of Feb. 22, 4 p.m., at Castellow Hammock Nature Preserve. Angela Hanscom, TimberNook founder and CEO, will be the featured speaker and will discuss the origins and philosophy of TimberNook and there will be an opportunity to view the campsite.

TimberNook provides ample time for children to explore their surroundings, create, build, design, take risks, and dive into their imagination — all while fostering a love for the outdoors. Camp sessions are intimate with maximum 20 campers per session.

“This is life-altering play, the kind of play that teaches cooperation, empathy and practical life skills,” Brown said.